Sodo Park Wedding

Last week I wrote about Diane and Fred's beach party which kicked off their memorable wedding weekend in July. It is a pleasure to know them and to have been a part of their celebration. From engagement to the day Diane and Fred made their wedding a reflection of themselves and what is most important to them, their family and friends (and their pups). We started planning their intimate affair a year and some months ago and I am so pleased with the team of vendors that we put together. I consider all to be outstanding in their craft as well as good friends. The following is a glimpse into the details of their day paired with stunning photos courtesy of Joe & Jill Photography.



Diane and Fred have an affinity to the timeless elegance of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel making it a natural setting to get ready and take photos. Amongst the select boutiques in the hotel, Diane fell in love with the gowns of couture designer, Luly Yang. Her dress was nothing short of breathtaking, the back alone being a work of art. I am in awe. Not to mention how gorgeous Diane is. What flawless skin.











Diane and Fred have an impeccably designed condo with a retro modern look in the heart of Belltown and love living in the city with its abundance of award winning cuisine and art. They have style and appreciate fine food and wine. Their venue needed to have interesting architecture, amazing cuisine and make them feel at home for an intimate group of sixty guests. Sodo Park, owned by Herban Feast Catering's BJ Duft, encompassed everything on their wish list. Its dramatic ceilings, distressed wooden beams and garden patio brings the outdoors in while being set in an industrial patch of downtown. Every event I plan with Herban Feast blows me away from their attention to detail and inventive menus to the green methods of operation they stand by.







Annemarie Juhlian officiated the ceremony and brought her warm and unique approach to the service representing Diane and Fred. Their kids aka pups were an important part of the ceremony and you will notice inspired the stationary designs created by Janet Maples of Izzy Girl.






Diane and Fred's design vision was for a vibrant, eclectic summer look to transform the space in bright hues of green and blue. I knew they would have a special connection with designer Steven Moore. Steven is a design maven and there is simply nothing that he can't dream up and bring to fruition. For those that have been to Sodo Park before it is a large venue with incredibly tall ceilings. For their guest size it could potentially feel too expansive. Steven solved that issue by creating an intimate space with one long dramatic table going down the center of the venue. It is difficult to name my favorite element of the table design, at every turn you notice a new detail that brings the design to life...the hand-sewn rich blue table runner that popped against the white linens, lush green hydrangea and delicate tropical phalaenopsis orchids displayed in varying glassware, colorful candle sticks, glassy baby votives, fresh limes and loose cymbidium orchid blooms...to name a few.









Chef Dahlis had commented that Diane and Fred's wedding was one of his favorites of the summer with the menu playing such an important role. Over tastings and a few trips to their restaurant, Fresh Bistro Chef designed a menu to give their guests a culinary experience. During cocktail hour an elaborate Northwest raw bar was presented with shucked oysters, sauteed penn cove mussels and manilla clams, chilled prawns and smoked scallops. Trays of chilled gazpacho shooters,sweet potato and dungeness crabcakes and peking duck fresh rolls were also passed. Not forgetting drinks, mojitos with sprigs of apple mint straight from BJ's home garden and blue lagoon martinis were a fun and tasty option brining in their bright color palate of blue and green. Dinner was served family style at the large table, encouraging conversation while sharing platters of decadent beef wellington, cedar plank salmon and jumbo pan seared scallops.




Loving sweets just as much as the main course, a colorful cake with hand-made sugar roses replicating the back of Diane's gown was designed by Bonnie Lyons of New Renaissance Cakes. Alternating flavor tiers included citron cake (white satin cake with a layer of lemon curd and lemon white chocolate mousse) and coconut cake (coconut white cake with a layer of coconut cream and and coconut whipped cream). Guests also dipped into the dark chocolate fountain with skewers of fresh fruit, pound cake, marshmallows and salty pretzels. Delish. Just in cases anyone was still hungry after the feast and working up a sweat on the dance floor, a late night snack station of Moroccan lamb sliders and sweet potato fries completed the menu.




Laura and Chris of Edit 1 Media presented their signature same day edit video which delighted the couple and their guests. Afterwards DJ Darrell Christel who I have worked with for many years and does such a fabulous job, spinned their favorite tunes and Joe & Jill opened up the photobooth. I even jumped in for a few pics below with Diane and my sister/assistant extraordinaire Alana.







As the sun set, Joe and Jill took Diane and Fred to the outdoor patio for some glamorous evening shots. I have to point out the gorgeous jewelry that Brandy Thibault of Abaloria designed for Diane to wear at the reception. To die for.





An amazing couple. An amazing day.



vendors

venue Sodo Park
caterer Herban Feast
photographer Joe & Jill Photography
videographer Edit 1 Media
floral and decor design Steven Moore Designs
officiant Annemarie Juhlian
DJ Darrell Christel
cake New Renaissance Cakes
chocolate fountain Heavenly Fountain
invitations and stationary Izzy Girl
candy favors The Confectionary
votive holders Glassy Baby
on-site hair and makeup - Liz White - Chanel counter at Southcenter Nordstrom - contact information available upon request.
wedding day on-site massage - Barbara Bernard, LMP - contact information available upon request.
bridal gown Luly Yang
custom jewelry for the bride & bridesmaids Abaloria
tuxes Tuxedo Club
getting ready & wedding night hotel Fairmont Olympic Hotel
beer + wine Pete's Wine Shop
transportation Beeline Tours